St Neots Saints regained their form just at the right time, with a fine display on Saturday against a strong Deepings side, to ensure they finished the season as Midland 4 East (South) table toppers.

It was Saints skipper Ross Hubbard that opened the Saints scoring, latching on to an off-load from Rhod Howcroft after a typical rampaging line breaking run by the big No.8. As Saints piled on early pressure a defensive kick from Deeping was returned with interest by flanker Aiden Jordan and good hands then released winger Steffan Gallucci and a nice pass inside found centre Nic Robinson who broke through a couple of tackles to go over for a try.

Break away runs by Scrum half Dan Hill and centre Grant Hobbs kept the Saints deep in Deeping territory and another poor kick out of defence was gathered up by full-back Kieran Rook and he used his pace to cut through the approaching defenders before rounding the winger and fullback to score get a well deserved solo effort.

With Saints well in command Deeping finally started to exert some pressure of their own and managed a late score with the last play of the first half.

Half Time 17 – 5 to St Neots

Saints brought on some fresh legs at half-time and it was replacement centre Tom Worboys who made the early impact, breaking tackles to get into the Deepings 22. Half-backs Jack Webb and Joe Woodgate combined to get quick ball out to winger Tom Beech and when he was tackled just short of the line, Hobbs was on hand to take the ball on and dive over for an opening 2nd half score.

Deepings pack then earned themselves a pushover try and Saints, realising the game was still not won, regrouped and really stepped up a gear. Full-back Rook again showed his pace to get Saints into an attacking position and when Webb again gave quick ball to Woodgate the Saints play-maker ran at the Deepings backs, side stepped the centre, side stepped the full-back before side stepping the covering Winger, to go under the posts untouched.

More good handling by the backs saw them get close to the Deepings goal line where prop Matt Davies picked up from the back of a ruck to power through the last defenders to score his second try in two games. And straight from the resulting re-start, quick ball again from the half-backs found Tom Worboys in open field and the strong centre burst through centre field tacklers before running away from the covering defenders to score.

With an almost unassailable lead built, Saints became guilty of cruising the last ten minutes and uncharacteristically conceded 3 late tries, but the game was already wrapped up and beyond doubt to cause concern.

Head Coach Steve Gibson said after the game “Everyone has worked so hard this season to get this team to where it belongs. The hard work on the training ground has paid off and success has been brought back to the club. Next season will be tough but with the squad we are building and the younger players like Finn Martin coming through, the signs are good for a successful new season.”

On behalf of all of the players and coaching staff at st Neots, player coach Johnny Berwick paid tribute to the huge level of commitment Steve Gibson has given to the St Neots senior squads this season.

Team: Dave Struth, Finn Martin, Matthew Davies, Nick Ashford, Ross Hubbard, Phillip Fernie, Aiden Jordan, Rhodri Howcroft, Daniel Hill, Joe Woodgate, Stefan Gallucci, Grant Hobbs, Nic Robinson, Tom Beech, Kieran Rook

Subs: Jack Hayward, Lewis Hall, Jack Webb, Tom Worboys, Stuart Miller,
Coaches: Mick Cleary, Steve Gibson, Paul Wakeford, Matt Doherty

Scores T: Matthew Davies (1), Joe Woodgate (1), Kieran Rook (1), Stefan Gallucci (1), Ross Hubbard (1), Tom Worboys (1), Grant Hobbs (1) C: Lewis Hall (3), Joe Woodgate (1)